Best James Madison Program Podcasts (2025)

1
S4E36 Institutional Corruption in News Media: A Conversation with William English 1:00:55

3d ago1:00:55

1:00:55

Why has trust in the news media declined? How can we combat biased reporting and the spread of misinformation? And how do these challenges compare to the media landscape during America’s founding era? Join us as we explore these pressing questions with William English, a political economist and Associate Professor of Strategy, Economics, Ethics, an…

1
S4E35 Slacking: A Guide A Guide to Ivy League Miseducation 48:47

10d ago48:47

48:47

What does a general education from an Ivy League mean? What structures produce the course catalogues that students can choose to customize their education from? Is a world-class degree a world-class education? In this episode, we sit down with the three authors of Slacking: A Guide A Guide to Ivy League Miseducation (Encounter Books, 2025). Adam Ki…

1
s05e07: A Conversation About Continuous Improvement in Higher Education 50:51

12d ago50:51

50:51

In this episode, we have a conversation about continuous improvement in higher education. Our guest is Will Miller. Will serves as Associate Vice President for Continuous Improvement and Institutional Performance at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, where he and his colleagues also host the annual Continuous Improvement Summit, which is open to…

1
S4E34 Constitutional Private Law: A Conversation with Garrett West 51:46

17d ago51:46

51:46

What is constitutional private law, and how does it differ from the way we traditionally think about constitutional issues? When an individual employed by the government breaks the law, do we sue the person or the government? And what do these choices reveal about justice, accountability, and constitutional interpretation? This week Madison’s Notes…

1
S4E33 The World of Academic Publishing: A Conversation with Robert Dreesen 46:21

24d ago46:21

46:21

How do academic books get published? How do scholars turn dissertations and articles into the books we love? How does academic publishing compare to the world of trade publishing? This week, we speak with Robert Dreesen, a seasoned publishing professional with over 30 years of experience in the industry. Dreesen has worked in trade publishing at Pe…

1
S4E32: We Have Never Been Woke: A Conversation with Musa al-Gharbi 43:52

1M ago43:52

43:52

Why does occupation reliably predict political leanings? What is social capitalism, and how does it span income classes? If social capitalists are sincerely committed to equality and “wokeness,” why do they simultaneously benefit from—and perpetuate—the very inequalities they denounce? Join us as we dive into Musa al-Gharbi’s provocative new book, …

1
S4E31 The Free Speech and Poetry of Ana Blandiana 48:49

1M ago48:49

48:49

In this episode, we sit down with Director and Producer Diana Nicolae and Editor and Camera Matt Jozwiakowski to discuss their documentary film, "Between Silence and Sin." The film explores the life and work of dissident Romanian poet Ana Blandiana, an artist whose voice was threatened, censored, and banned under the Communist dictatorship. In our …

1
S4E29 Pt. 2 In Covid’s Wake: How our Politics Failed Us--A Conversation with Stephen Macedo (Part 2) 51:12

2M ago51:12

51:12

This week on Madison’s Notes, we continue our discussion with Stephen Macedo, co-author of In COVID’s Wake: How Our Politics Failed Us (Princeton UP, 2025). The book examines the institutional failures during the pandemic, including the politicization of science, inconsistent messaging, and the disproportionate impacts of policies. We cover key que…

1
s05e06: Results from a Recent Study Entitled "A Portrait of the Assessment Professional in the United States" 1:02:42

2M ago1:02:42

1:02:42

This episode features colleagues discussing results from a recent study they conducted entitled “A Portrait of the Assessment Professional in the United States.” Our guests are Ruth Slotnick and Mark Nicholas. Ruth is Director of Assessment at Bridgewater State University, and Mark is Vice President for the New England Commission of Higher Educatio…

1
S4E29 Pt. 1 In Covid’s Wake: How our Politics Failed Us: A Conversation with Frances Lee 44:12

2M ago44:12

44:12

In the first part of our two-part conversation on Madison’s Notes, we speak with Frances Lee, Professor of Politics and Public Affairs at Princeton University, about her co-authored book In COVID’s Wake (Princeton UP, 2025). The book offers a comprehensive and candid political assessment of how institutions performed during the pandemic. It explore…

1
S4E28 Over Ruled: The Human Toll of Too Much Law--A Conversation with Janie Nitze 41:48

2M ago41:48

41:48

In the latest episode of Madison’s Notes, I spoke with Janie Nitze, co-author of Over Ruled: The Human Toll of Too Much Law (Harper, 2004), a book written alongside Supreme Court Justice Neil Gorsuch. Janie, a Harvard-educated attorney and former clerk for Justices Sonia Sotomayor and Neil Gorsuch, discussed the growing complexity of laws in Americ…

1
S4E27 Religious Freedom: A Conversation on the Conservative Tradition with John D. Wilsey 44:10

2M ago44:10

44:10

In this conversation, we sit down with John D. Wilsey, Professor of Church History and Philosophy at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary and Senior Fellow at the Center for Religion, Culture, and Democracy, to tackle the urgent and often contentious topic of religious freedom in America. Drawing from his forthcoming book, Religious Freedom: A…

1
S4E26 The Anxious Generation: A Conversation with Jonathan Haidt 55:28

2M ago55:28

55:28

In this episode of Madison's Notes, Jonathan Haidt, renowned social psychologist and author, dives deep into the impact of digital saturation on today's youth, drawing insights from his latest book, The Anxious Generation: How the Great Rewiring of Childhood Is Causing an Epidemic of Mental Illness (Allen Lane, 2024). The discussion explores how gr…

1
s05e05: Faculty Job Satisfaction and Retention in Collegiate Contexts with the Collaborative on Academic Careers in Higher Education (COACHE) 49:02

2M ago49:02

49:02

In this episode, we discuss issues of faculty job satisfaction and retention in collegiate contexts. Our guest is Todd Benson. Todd is Executive Director and Principal Investigator with the Collaborative on Academic Careers in Higher Education, or COACHE as it is known, which is based in the Graduate School of Education at Harvard University. Link …

1
The Power of Mentorship and Storytelling in Jesse Erickson’s Entrepreneurial Journey 29:56

3M ago29:56

29:56

What happens when childhood dreams of entrepreneurship blend with transformative mentorship experiences? Join us as Jesse Erickson, a proud ONU alum and accomplished entrepreneur, uncovers the story behind Pathfinder, his full-service marketing agency. Jesse's tale is one of passion and purpose, fueled by his early exposure to business and a pivota…

1
S4E25 Mountain Memories: A Conversation with Henry Louis Gates Jr. and Robert P. George 1:28:31

3M ago1:28:31

1:28:31

In this episode, Henry Louis Gates and Robert P. George share a powerful conversation about their unlikely beginnings in West Virginia. Recorded in December 2024, they reflect on their childhoods, the challenges they faced, and the experiences that shaped their paths to becoming the influential figures they are today. Their discussion offers a uniq…

1
S4E24 We Are Free to Change the World: A Conversation on Hannah Arendt with Lyndsey Stonebridge 45:38

3M ago45:38

45:38

In this episode of Madison’s Notes, we sit down with Lindsey Stonebridge, author of We Are Free to Change the World: Hannah Arendt’s Lessons in Love and Disobedience (Hogarth, 2024) to explore the enduring relevance of Hannah Arendt’s thought. Stonebridge dives into Arendt’s remarkable ability to teach students how to think, not just what to think,…

1
S4E23 Tolkien, Philosopher of War: A Conversation with Graham McAleer 49:03

3M ago49:03

49:03

In this episode, we explore the profound philosophical and theological dimensions of J.R.R. Tolkien's work, particularly his views on war. In his book Tolkien, Philosopher of War (Catholic University of America Press, 2024), McAleer uncovers Tolkien's critique of Enlightenment thought and his deep concern with the apocalyptic politics of his time. …

1
Winning Hearts at Chick-fil-A with Kate Klavohn 31:19

3M ago31:19

31:19

In this conversation, Kate Klavohn shares her extensive experience with Chick-fil-A, focusing on the company's approach to customer satisfaction and genuine hospitality. She discusses the 'Winning Hearts Every Day' strategy, which emphasizes creating a clean and safe environment, providing quality food, ensuring fast and accurate service, and deliv…

1
S4E22 Truth Matters: A Conversation with Robert P. George and Cornel West 46:39

3M ago46:39

46:39

In the latest episode of Madison’s Notes, we are privileged to join a profound conversation between Robert P. George and Cornel West, two towering figures in political philosophy and social thought. Their discussion, based on their collaborative work Truth Matters, models what robust intellectual engagement and civil discourse can look like, especi…

1
s05e04: A Conversation with an Assessment Leader Involved in Championing Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs) 1:02:06

3M ago1:02:06

1:02:06

This episode features a conversation with a higher education assessment leader involved in championing Student Learning Outcomes, or SLOs as they are also known. Our guest is Jarek Janio, who, in addition to being a faculty member at Santa Ana College, is also one of the founders of the California Outcomes & Assessment Coordinator Hub, otherwise kn…

1
S4 E21 Congressional Deliberation: A Conversation with Kevin J. Burns and Jordan T. Cash 54:38

4M ago54:38

54:38

In this episode, we sit down with Professors Jordan T. Cash and Kevin J. Burns to discuss their recently published book, Congressional Deliberation: Major Debates, Speeches, and Writings, 1774–2023 (Hackett, 2024). Drawing on a wide array of primary sources, the book offers a deep dive into key historical debates and turning points in U.S. congress…

1
From Law Student to CEO: Addison Newell's Entrepreneurial Odyssey 27:40

4M ago27:40

27:40

Curious about how a former aspiring law student became a CEO and turned a collaborative workspace into a thriving entrepreneurial hub? This week, Carly and I chat with Addison Newell, who has navigated an extraordinary journey from the corporate ladder to the dynamic world of entrepreneurship. Addison shares compelling stories of taking the reins a…

1
S4E20 Cosmic Connections: A Conversation with Charles Taylor 49:10

4M ago49:10

49:10

This week on Madison’s Notes, we sit down with philosopher and author Charles Taylor to discuss his latest work, Cosmic Connections: Poetry in the Age of Disenchantment (Belknap Press, 2024) . Taylor dives into the profound role of poetry in reconnecting us to a sense of wonder and meaning in a world often characterized by disillusionment. Drawing …

1
Faith-Fueled Business Innovation: Jared Fulks' Impactful Journey in East Africa 26:40

4M ago26:40

26:40

Unlock the secret to combining faith and business with insights from Jared Fulks, managing partner at Pureflow. Learn how Jared's journey from coaching basketball in the UK to transforming the lives of boda boda drivers in Uganda reveals the power of innovative financing solutions. This episode promises to inspire as we explore Pureflow's unique mo…

1
S4E19: Free Inquiry in the Academy and Beyond 53:40

5M ago53:40

53:40

In this episode of Madison’s Notes, we’re joined by Professors Amna Khalid and Jeff Snyder for a thought-provoking discussion on the state of free speech in today’s polarized climate. We explore the role of the university as a space for critical inquiry, the challenges to academic freedom, and the growing tensions between open discourse and politic…

1
s05e03: Research Perspectives from the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) 31:01

5M ago31:01

31:01

This episode features a conversation with a colleague from the National Association of Colleges and Employers, or NACE as it is also known. Our guest is Mary Gatta, who serves as Director of Research and Public Policy at NACE. Link to resources mentioned in this episode: National Association of Colleges and Employers: https://www.naceweb.org/ This …

1
S4E18 Who Cares? A Conversation with Emily Kenway 50:36

5M ago50:36

50:36

In this episode, Emily Kenway shares insights from her powerful new book Who Cares: The Hidden Crisis of Caregiving, and How We Solve It (Seal Press, 2023), an eye-opening exploration of the invisible world of unpaid caregivers. Drawing from her own experience caring for her terminally ill mother, Emily sheds light on the challenges faced by millio…

1
Infinite Impact: Amber Vilhauer on Resilience, Authenticity, and Teamwork in Business 41:27

5M ago41:27

41:27

Unlock the secrets to resilience and business success with Amber Billhauer, a force of nature in entrepreneurship and authorship. Discover how Amber transformed her challenging childhood experiences into powerful catalysts for her career, culminating in her Amazon number one bestseller, "Infinite Impact: Where Faith and Business Meet." Her story is…

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S4E17 Jane Austen's Darkness: A Conversation with Julia Yost 52:24

5M ago52:24

52:24

In this episode of Madison's Notes, we sit down with Julia Yost, senior editor at First Things and author of the new book Jane Austen's Darkness (Wiseblood Books, 2024). Yost offers a fresh and provocative perspective on the beloved novelist, exploring the moral complexities, spiritual struggles, and often-overlooked shadows in Austen’s works. From…

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